March 31, 2026
3 minute read
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Is washing enough to clean fruits and vegetables? Experts give their opinion
Fresh fruits and vegetables often contain toxic residues from pesticides, some of which include so-called “permanent chemicals.” Here’s how to limit your exposure
Juan Moyano, via Getty Images
Blueberries are nutritious and delicious, but if they’re not washed, they can be covered in a film of pesticide residue.
The crazy fruit was highlighted by the annual “Dirty Dozen” analysis by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which examines fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residues based on U.S. Department of Agriculture data. In addition to brube, we also had spinach, kale, strawberries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, cherries, apples, blackberries, pears, and potatoes.
All agricultural products discussed in the report fall under legal limits for pesticide exposure set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, scientists have not yet fully evaluated the effects of long-term simultaneous exposure to many of these chemicals.
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“The benefits of eating fruits and vegetables definitely outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure,” says Dayna de Montagnac, associate scientist at EWG. “But we should all be able to reap the benefits of eating nutritious fruits and vegetables that are free of pesticide residues.”
More than 30 percent of the fruits and vegetables sampled were found to contain PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, according to the report. These “eternal chemicals” break down very slowly over time, hence their nickname. They are associated with a variety of negative health effects, including decreased immune responses, altered metabolic signaling, and even an increased risk of certain types of cancer.
Some people may be at higher risk from PFAS than others, explains Sarah Evans, an associate professor of environmental health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “We’re especially concerned about children and pregnant people because we know that exposure to PFAS and pesticide chemicals can be more harmful, especially to the developing brain and reproductive system,” she explains.
But no matter who you are, reducing exposure “may have beneficial long-term health consequences,” says Evans.
One easy method is to wash your produce.
“The general rule is to always take the time to wash your fruits and vegetables before eating them, regardless of whether they are organic or on the Dirty Dozen list,” says de Montagnac.
To wash produce, run it under running water for 20 seconds or soak it in water for 15 to 20 minutes. For hard items like cucumbers and melons, the FDA recommends scrubbing the surface with a clean produce brush.
But is simply washing fruits and vegetables with water really enough to remove all residue? There is no guarantee that washing will completely remove pesticide residues from produce. In fact, the amount of pesticide residue in produce on the Dirty Dozen list is measured after cleaning.
So–what should I do? According to EWG’s guide to cleaning produce, adding baking soda or vinegar to water and soaking produce for 5 to 10 minutes can help break down certain pesticides and may be more effective than water alone. Alexa Friedman, senior scientist at EWG, added that another effective way to reduce pesticide residues is to peel fruits and vegetables before eating. However, she points out that peeling produce can reduce its nutritional value.
After all, eating enough fruits and vegetables is the real key to a healthy lifestyle, says Evans. For parents, “the most important thing is to feed your child a varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables,” she says.
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